Physical Education Degree

Physical Education Undergraduate Degree

The Department of Health, Human Performance and Recreation offers the Bachelor of Science in Education with a Major in Physical Education. In addition to the core, students complete either an emphasis area or a minor. Emphasis areas include: Coaching, Group Fitness, Dance and Rhythms, and Strength and Conditioning. Students choosing to complete a minor must select one from a discipline appropriate to teacher preparation

Physical Education major distinctives

Unique to the Major in Physical Education is the opportunity to complete one of the specialty areas of emphases. Students interested in becoming coaches may select Coaching as an area of emphasis. Those who want to teach basic rhythms and dance to in social settings and group fitness activities such as aerobic may select Group Fitness, Dance and Rhythms. Strength and Conditioning is another growing area of emphasis because of the increasing popularity of these classes in education.

Students earning a major in physical education will complete courses in the theory and practice of physical education in order to be prepared to teach physical education, pre-kindergarten through grade 12.

Career Options for Physical Education

Students completing the Major in Physical Education will have the knowledge and ability to work in such positions as:

Elementary, middle and high school physical education

Middle and high school athletics

Internship and research opportunities

There are opportunities to gain physical education experience while taking classes:

Various university and area dance groups

Field experiences in area schools

Substitute teaching in area schools

Learn more about the Department of Health, Human Performance, and Recreation

The Department of Health, Human Performance and Recreation (HHPR) is located in the new Student Recreation Center. The HHPR faculty possess a wide array of specializations. The department offers undergraduate degree programs in Exercise Science, Recreation, and Physical Education, a minor and certificate in Dance, as well as a graduate program in HHPR. Within each of the degree programs are emphases/concentration areas from which students select the professional path best fitting their needs. Exercise Science and Recreation meet requirements for the Midwest Student Exchange Program (MSEP), which is a tuition discount program for non-resident students to attend Pittsburg State University. Students who have been selected to receive the MSEP discount will be charged 150 percent of resident tuition rates. Residents from Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, and Wisconsin are eligible.